If Wayne Pivac wanted a decent job reference for Mat Protheroe’s international job prospects, then he has got one from former Wales full-back Dan Evans.
Both Evans and Pivac watched Protheroe produce a startling performance for the Ospreys in their Heineken Champions Cup match with Sale last weekend.
Updated tournament statistics show that the Swansea-born back-three man made 171 metres with ball in hand, a total matched only by Toulouse’s Antoine Dupont during his outing against a depleted Cardiff side at the Arms Park.
Protheroe also beat eight defenders in a performance Evans enjoyed.
“Mat showed last week what he’s capable of,” said Evans.
“He’s very dangerous and has all the qualities for Test rugby when you need something special.
“He just needs a run of games now. He started well last year, then had a little injury which kept him out.
“Once he has a run of games, he’ll get his confidence up and show what he can do.
“He’s more than capable of stepping up.”
Protheroe’s big asset is his pace.
Maybe he can move from 0 to 60 quicker than some of the high-performance cars that have been known to park up at the Ospreys’ training base in Llandarcy over the years.
But he also has a step and a spirit of adventure that those of a certain vintage might feel calls to mind memories of Mark Titley, an all-time favourite from Swansea who lit up countless games for the Whites with his audacious running.
Whatever, it will be fascinating to see if he has impressed Pivac enough to secure a place in his Six Nations squad.
At 33, Evans is now among the Ospreys’ senior statesmen and in a position to lend the likes of Protheroe and fellow youngster Max Nagy the benefit of his experience. Does he do that?
“You can, but rugby changes and every player is different,” said the full-back who won two caps for Wales in 2009.
“If only I had the pace of Mat Protheroe — he could help me out!
“He has a unique skill and you have to allow him to have the freedom to show it.
“On the basics, it’s easy to give full-backs what’s expected of them.
“But a lot of it is, you know, helping them when I can and if I can.”
Evans still has petrol in the tank himself.
Now up to 166 appearances for the Ospreys, he has been one of the region's finest signings, offering immense value for money since arriving from the Dragons in 2014.
He sits second on their all-time try list with 51, leaving him within sight of Shane Williams’ all-time record of 57.
Injuries have made it a stop-start campaign for him so far, though.
“It’s been frustrating on a personal level with a few niggles, but I want to get some momentum now and start playing some rugby.
“I just have to look after my body and try to stay fighting fit.”
Commendably, he’s still trying to improve. “You’re always learning and finding new ideas and ways to play. You never stop trying to add to your game, even if it’s just little things.
“That said, I like to pass on my experience if I can.”
- Want the latest Welsh rugby news sent straight to you? Look no further.
